MAN seeks action on insecurity after Fouani Group MD released

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the state of insecurity in the country while commending security agencies for the release of the kidnapped Managing Director of Fouani Group.

The Fouani Group is a member of the association.

The Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stated that the recent incident has left the entire manufacturing community shocked and concerned about the safety of its chief executives and workforce.

In a statement sent to The PUNCH Online on Wednesday, Ajayi-Kadir said, the association, on receiving the news of the unfortunate incident, frantically made contact with relevant authorities, including security agencies, to express its deep concerns and to reaffirm its confidence in the ability of the agencies to briskly bring an end to the nightmare.

“We are glad that the efforts of the security agencies paid off and yielded results without casualties among the victims.” Ajayi-Kadir further stated,

Ajayi-Kadir, “MAN commends the security agencies for the safe release of Mr. Fouani. The Association urges intensified efforts to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the country, as it poses a significant threat to the business community and the overall economic development of Nigeria.

“This, if not checked, will erode investor confidence in the economy and further jeopardize the efforts of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at repositioning the economy for growth.

“MAN also extends its solidarity and hearty felicitation to the family and colleagues of the Managing Director over the release. The association remains concerned about the safety and well-being of its members and will continue to collaborate with authorities to address security challenges facing the operators in the manufacturing sector in particular and the nation in general.”

MAN is the leading voice of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, representing the collective interests of manufacturers in the country.

The rescued Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, which specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in the country, along with three Lebanese nationals who were rescued on Monday night after being abducted on Friday, June 14, 2024, have reunited with their families. (https://punchng.com/abducted-fouani-md-three-lebanese-reunite-with-families/)

The Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to our correspondent on Tuesday that the victims were rescued on Monday night and that they had been safely returned to their apartment on Banana Island.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the Managing Director and the three Lebanese were kidnapped by armed men while travelling by boat from Apapa to Victoria Island around Falomo Bridge, sending shockwaves through the state and prompting immediate law enforcement action.